December Hokkaido Trip Changed My Spending Habits – Budget Travel Insights & Tips

Just returned from the peak season in Hokkaido, where spending over 12k RMB per person might not even be enough. Below are detailed budget estimates and tips to help you plan ahead and avoid overspending.

### Budget Reference
1. **Flights**:
Round-trip: ~5,000–7,000 RMB/person (varies by departure city and booking time; early booking recommended).

2. **Transportation**:
– Airport to Sapporo train: ~55 RMB one-way.
– JR Pass (3/4/5/7-day): ~800–1,500 RMB/person.
– Local transport (subway/bus): ~200–300 RMB/person.
– Private car/rental (optional): ~4,000–5,000 RMB/day.

3. **Accommodation**:
– Hot spring ryokan: ~2,000–3,000 RMB/night.
– Standard hotel/guesthouse: ~1,000–1,500 RMB/night.
– Hoshino Resorts: Fully booked! Standard rooms cost 6,000–7,000 RMB, and only 10,000+ RMB rooms remain for Chinese New Year—extremely high demand!

4. **Dining**:
– Casual restaurants: ~100–200 RMB/meal/person.
– Specialty restaurants (crab, sushi, BBQ): ~300–500 RMB/meal/person.
– Convenience stores/fast food: ~50–100 RMB/meal/person.

5. **Attraction Tickets**:
– Asahiyama Zoo: ~100 RMB/person.
– Ski resort lift pass: ~300–500 RMB/day (beginners can skip the lift and rent gear only).
– Other attractions: Mostly free or low-cost (~50–100 RMB/person).

6. **Miscellaneous**:
– Shopping: Varies by preference; reserve ~1,000–2,000 RMB.
– Travel insurance: ~100–200 RMB/person (highly recommended).

### Total Budget Estimate (7 days, 6 nights)
– **Budget-friendly** (standard lodging + casual dining + public transport): ~13,000–15,000 RMB/person.
– **Comfortable** (ryokan + specialty dining + JR Pass): ~15,000–20,000 RMB/person.
– **Luxury** (Hoshino Resorts + high-end dining + private car): ~25,000–30,000 RMB/person.

### Key Tips
1. **Book Early**: Especially for ryokans and Hoshino Resorts—peak season sells out fast; book 1–2 months in advance.
2. **Transport Choices**:
– JR Pass is cost-effective for intercity travel.
– Private cars are safer and more comfortable in snowy conditions (drivers included).

– Avoid self-driving unless experienced in snow.
3. **Dining**: Use Tabelog (Japan’s “Dianping”) to find restaurants and book specialty dining in advance.
4. **Must-Visit Spots**: Asahiyama Zoo, Biei Blue Pond, Kamui Terrace, Otaru, Noboribetsu Onsen, Niseko Ski Resort, etc.
5. **Ski Gear**: No entrance fees for ski resorts—only lift passes.

Beginners can rent gear without using lifts.